Wireless remote controlled handset lifter system using magnetically coupled ring detection

ABSTRACT

An automatic handset lifter is used with a wireless communication system. The system attaches to a conventional telephone and creates a communication link between the telephone and a portable device such as a wireless headset. The system automatically detects the ringing of the telephone by sensing magnetic fields of the telephone speaker. Upon ring detection, the system creates a communications link with the remote device and deploys a mechanical lifting device to lift the handset. Lifting the handset activates the telephone cradle switch to answer the phone and thereby allows the remote device to communicate over the telephone.

This application is a divisional of application ser. No. 10/336,914,filed 6 Jan. 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,577,249. The application isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to telephone apparatus, in particular toan apparatus for remotely communicating with a standard telephone.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Certain remote communication devices exist which are designed tointerface with conventional telephone apparatus. One example of thesedevices includes wireless headsets that allow the user to answer callswithout the user being located proximate the telephone.

Because there are a wide variety of phone standards, it would be costprohibitive to make a wireless headset that can communicate with anygiven phone system. Furthermore, the phone set manufacturers wouldprobably change their codes to keep from having second source productsfunction with their stations. This is especially true in officeenvironments, which are increasing using digital phone systems.Therefore, for maximum usefulness, such wireless headsets are designedto interface with the audio portion of the signal, i.e. at the handset,and thereby be compatible with a wide variety of phone systems.

Such wireless systems typically include a base station inserted betweenthe handset and the telephone itself, in effect tapping off the audiosignals for transmission to and from the headset. Because the handsetremains indirectly connected to the telephone via the wireless base thatmay contain switching circuits for selecting wireless headset orheadset, the user still retains the ability to use the both originalhandset and the wireless device.

In many cases, the user will be located near the telephone set (e.g. tomake outgoing call from the telephone keypad), in which case the usercould manually lift the handset to initiate the phone call. However,this may be an inconvenience, as it also requires the user to manuallyreplace the handset at the end of the call.

Some systems use a lifting device that is manually activated by theuser. However, it is more desirable to allow the user to automaticallyanswer the telephone without having to personally remove the handset,thereby providing greater convenience. Automatic lifting of the handsetalso allows the user to answer calls while roaming wirelessly away fromthe telephone base. Such wireless headset systems, therefore, typicallyuse an automatic lifting device.

To allow roaming of the user, the headset lifting system needs to detectwhen the telephone is ringing in order to make it practical to use awireless headset without the need to run back to the base station tolift the handset to the “off hook” position. Typically, such a systemallows the user to remotely initiate lifting of the handset and therebyanswering the call.

Some systems for detecting calls and remotely lifting handsets areknown, however they tend to be bulky and not easily positioned. Todetect calls, some systems utilize a microphone mounted near a telephonespeaker. This approach can suffer from false ring detection due toambient noise and/or adjacent telephones.

What is needed in the art is a system for remotely communicating with astandard telephone that is compact and easily attached. Further neededis a system that can detect the ringing of the telephone that is notsusceptible to false ring detection due to surrounding noise. Thepresent invention fulfills these and other needs, and addresses otherdeficiencies of prior art implementations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To overcome the limitations in the prior art described above, and toovercome other limitations that will become apparent upon reading andunderstanding the present specification, the present invention disclosesa system for establishing a remote communication link to a basetelephone having a ring-sound transducer a handset and an off-hookswitch activated by the proximity of the handset, the system comprisinga remote communication unit. The unit may have a remote communicator forsending and receiving data, a remote ring indicator for alerting a userthat a call has been received at the base telephone; and a remoteanswering activator for allowing the user to send an answer signal fromthe remote communication means. It may also have a base unit at least inpart positionable adjacent to the telephone, which itself may a sensorpositioned to be capable of detecting magnetic flux of the ring-soundtransducer, a lifter mechanism for lifting the telephone handset toactivate a cradle switch of the telephone and change the telephonebetween on-hook and off-hook states, a base communicator for sending andreceiving data between the telephone an the remote communicator, asignal generator circuitry for receiving a signal from said magneticsensor responsive to a ringing signal in the base telephone and foridentifying said signal as a ring announcing an incoming phone call andactivating said remote ring indicator; and lifter circuitry, responsiveto said remote answering activator to operate the lifter mechanismbetween on and off hook states.

The invention may have some or all of these components and may also bedirected to several other configurations, such as a method (or circuitryfor) detecting a ring signal on a telephone, an off hook lifter devicewhich is less subject to false ring detection and immune to handsetslamming damage.

The specifics of the invention are set forth in the claims appendedhereto.

The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describeeach embodiment or every implementation of the present invention.Advantages and attainments, together with a more complete understandingof the invention, will become apparent and appreciated by referring tothe following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system according to one embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a handset lifting unit according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of a handset lifting unit accordingto one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side plan view of the lifter arm;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the lifter arm;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective of the lifter arm assembly;

FIG. 7 is a close-up plan view of a portion of the lifter arm assembly;

FIG. 8 is a side plan view of the link arm;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the link arm;

FIG. 10 is a side plan view opposite of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a front plan view of the adjuster;

FIG. 12 is a side plan view of the adjuster;

FIG. 13 is a front plan view opposite of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a close-up perspective view of the extension arm.

FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram of a system according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for remote answering ofa telephone according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 17 is a state diagram illustrating system states for remoteanswering of a telephone according to an embodiment of the presentinvention

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternativeforms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in thedrawings and will be described in detail herein. It is to be understood,however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to theparticular embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention isintended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternativesfalling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appendedclaims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

In the following description of the illustrated embodiments, referencesare made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and inwhich is shown by way of illustration, various embodiments in which theinvention may be practiced. It is to be understood that otherembodiments may be utilized, and structural and functional changes maybe made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The present invention involves a communications system allowing remoteaccess to the voice (or any kind of data) signal from a standard officetelephone. The system is designed to be compatible with a wide varietyof commercially available telephones, regardless of any digital orproprietary connections the telephone may utilize. In one application,the communication system is used to connect the voice signal from thetelephone to a wireless remote headset, allowing the user to remotelyanswer and/or terminate phone calls.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the remote communications system 100 includes ahandset lifter 101 mounted to a standard office telephone 102. Thehandset lifter 101 includes a unit 104 that contains electronics andlifting mechanisms. A separate base unit 105, is preferred to a unitaryunit in the housing for unit 104 because of placement flexibility andthe ability of avoid the effects of spurious EMF or magnetic flux/fieldsemanating from telephone sets which are generally unshielded. A sensingplate (with opening for speaker audio to pass through) 106 extends fromthe lifter unit 104 and substantially covers the telephone speaker orother ring-sound transducer (not shown). A lifting member 108 extendsover and substantially parallel to the sensing plate 106. The liftingmember 108 can be automatically raised upon receipt of a call to liftthe telephone handset 110 from the cradle. Lifting of the handset 110releases a telephone cradle switch (not shown) and thereby connects thetelephone 102 to a call in the usual fashion.

The base unit 105 includes an audio cable 112 designed to interface witha standard handset jack (e.g. RJ-14) located on the telephone base 114.The base unit 104 includes a connector 116 for receiving a plug 117 ofthe handset cable 118, thereby providing audio pass-though to allownormal operation of the telephone handset 110. Control cables betweenunites 104 and 105 are illustrated by a single lead line but mayencompass any number of signal carriers. In a handset lifter 101according to the present invention, an audio signal passing to thehandset 110 can be tapped from the telephone 102 and transmitted to aremote unit 120. Because the handset audio signal is standard and wellknown, the system 100 according to the present invention can be used toprovide a wireless communication link with a wide range of analog anddigital telephone systems.

The remote communication unit 120 can remotely communicate with thehandset lifter 101. The remote communication unit 120 can include awireless transmitter and receiver 122 and a headset 124 as shown here.The wireless features can also be an integral part of the headsetitself. It is appreciated that other forms of remote communication units120 can be used in a system according to the present invention. Forexample, a remote communication unit 120 could be an automatic recordingdevice, an answering machine, a computer for logging calls, a voice overIP device, an intercom system, a TDD Terminal (Telecommunications Devicefor the Deaf), etc.

Further details of an exemplary handset lifter 101 are shown in FIG. 2.The lifting member 108 is attached to a lifting arm 202. The lifting arm202 is rotatably attached to the base unit 104 at a bearing 254 for thetorsion spring 253. A linkage 206 attaches the lifting arm 202 to amotor 208. The motor 208 can be a linear device, such as a solenoid, ora rotational motor. In this embodiment, the motor 208 has a rotatingscrew shaft 210 with a drive nut 212 mounted thereon. The drive nut 212is pivotably coupled to the linkage 206. Rotation of the motor 208causes linear motion of the drive nut 212 on the screw shaft 210, thedrive nut 212 thereby causing rotation of the linkage 206 and liftingarm 202.

It is appreciated that alternate configurations of a drive mechanism forthe lifting arm 202 can be used. For example, the motor 208 can becoupled to the lifting arm 202 by reduction gears, flexible driveshafts, belts, pulleys, magnetic clutches and other torque transmissiondevices known in the art.

A height selector (adjustment collar) 220 is frictionally coupled to thelifting arm 202. The adjustment collar 220 includes a adjustment tab 222accessible from the exterior of the base unit 104 and a sensing arm 224.The sensing arm 224 moves between an up limit sensor 226 and a downlimit sensor 228. The sensors 226, 228 detect when the sensing arm 224is proximate. The sensors 226, 228 can include commercial proximitydetection methods such as optical, magnetic, Hall effect, mechanicalcontact, etc.

The adjustment collar 220 is rotatably adjustable allowing the user toset a travel distance for the lifting arm 202 to fit a particulartelephone's dimensions and lift the handset sufficiently to active “hookswitch”. [For example, the user can manually adjust the motor 208 untilthe lifting member 108 is touching just below the handset 110. The usercan then rotate the adjustment collar 220 so that the sensing arm 224 isproximate the down limit sensor 228.] After this adjustment procedure,the lifting arm 202 and lifting member 108 will provide ample lifting ofthe handset 110 to ensure the cradle switch is disengaged when a call isreceived.

The lifter's structure and function are now provided in greater detailbelow. Lifter arm 202 is raised and lowered by a function of the linkage206 which is drive by the combination of motor 208, shaft 210 and nut212, which moves linkage 206 between limit positions defined by thelimit sensors 226 and 228 and the sensing tab (arm) 224. To accommodateangular movement, linkage 206 pivots with respect to the nut 212 onpivot points 251 on the nut which mate with bearing holes 252 on thelinkage.

An exploded view of the lifter linkage is show in FIG. 6 with furtherdetails shown in the side view in FIG. 7. In its most basic function,lifter arm 202 in resiliently connected to linkage 206 through a sprint253, all of which are co-axially aligned along shaft 254. The reason forthis arrangement is to allow the depression of the lifter arm 202 andlifter extension member 108 to a point in contact or near contact withsensor plate 136 (see FIG. 2). This downward movement is against theupward bias supplied by the sprint 253. The upward spring bias forceneeds to be sufficient lift the heaviest receiver handset, yet smallenough that downward pressure to the sensor plate 136 will not causedamage to the internal parts.

This flexible link (torsion coupling or bias element) is accomplished byinserting tang of the spring into the tang holes 266 on the linkage 206and corresponding tang hole 268 on arm 202. The preferred spring is aright hand coil capable of a 400 gram load since most handsets are under300 grams. The clutch feature is provided by the contact which occursbetween opposing pairs of dogs 262 (on linkage 206) and dogs 260 (on arm202). The optimum angle 264 between leading and trailing edges ofconsecutive dogs is 70 degrees, though this can vary according manyfactors. It is however important that arm 202 can be fully depressed tothe point that it or the extension 108 encounter a backstop positionbefore encountering direct (non spring) contact between two respectivedogs. If this were to occur, as in the case of someone slamming thereceiver down upon the lifter extension 108, it is likely that nut 212would be stripped or other damage could occur.

To control the maximum up and down position of the arm 202 and extension108, collar 220 is circumferentially interposed coaxially with shaft254, which can best be seen in FIGS. 1-13. This collar, which becomes astop-position adjuster, includes a sensor tab 270 which is preferablymade reflective (such as with white paint or otherwise) so that sensors226 and 228, respectively, will measure the reflectivity and therebysense the presence of tab or flag 270 to delineate the stop positions.

To accomplish this, collar 220 needs to have the ability to be 1)adjustable with respect to arm 202 and 2) secure enough that it willmaintain its angular orientation with respect to said arm when the armis rotating. If it cannot accomplish both functions simultaneously, theupper and lower limits will not be consistently maintained.

Both functions are achieved by the engagement of detent teeth 272 (seeFIG. 16) on arm 202, which mate with detent 257 (see FIGS. 11 and 13).Bias force from detent 257 is provided by spring arm 256 which follows adiameter slightly smaller than a diameter that would be defined by theradially extended detent teeth. This insures that the radially extendingdetent and teeth are biased toward each and engaged other at all times.

Since this system is intended for using in a large variety of telephonedevice, whose exact configuration is not known in advance, it isdesirable to provide adjustability on the lifter extension 108 (see FIG.14). Lifter extension 108 is preferably formed with a contact portion109, usually a somewhat resilient material, having a clip receiving slot284 for receiving a clip 282 and a shaft 278. The shaft may have aplurality of recesses 280 designed to engage the clip 282 and variouspoints along the shaft. By selecting the appropriate recess, the shaftcan be made to extend and be retained at any reasonable length necessaryto reside under the handset receiver and be lifted off hook by themovement of arm 202. Extensions of different lengths could be suppliedas well by removing the engagement clip 286 which resiliently engages alike recess 280 at the end of the shaft nearest the arm.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4-6 with respect to the lifter arm 202 andrelated assembly and FIGS. 8-10 which show the link arm 206.

To detect an incoming call, the handset lifter 101 includes a sensorpreferably magnetic (but may be other types of non-audible field sensor)230 mounted on the sensing or positioning plate 106. The sensing plate106 extends over the typical speaker location of the telephone to placethe sensor 230 in axial alignment with the telephone speaker. Thesensing plate 106 advantageously includes a sensor slot 232 with lands233 in which the magnetic sensor 230 having recesses 231 sized tofunctionally engage the lands 237 is slidably deployed. This allowsadjustment of the magnetic sensor 230 location to be center over thespeaker (or the point of highest field) in order to accommodate a widevariety of telephone configurations. The functional engagement allowsfor movement without the need for a lock or set screw.

The magnetic sensor 230 can detect the change in magnetic flux of thespeaker when the telephone 102 rings. The magnetic sensor 230 is notsusceptible to false signals caused by the surroundings, as is amicrophone or other vibration sensing device. The magnetic sensor 230 istypically an inductor (e.g. coil). A highly sensitive inductor, such asa hearing aid “T” coil, is preferably used in the magnetic sensor 230.For example, part used in hearing aids. If the phone has some other kindof ring indicator such as an LED (light), the sensor can beoptical/photoelectric. Notice that ambient noise does increase theprobability of a false pickup since audible sound is not the basis onwhich the sensor 230 detects a ring. In the rare instance where thetelephone set does not use a sound transducer capable of emittingmagnetic force, other transducers can be used. To accommodate this, jack122 (see FIG. 2) is provided so that other remote sensor can be used inplace of or in addition to 230. For example, a microphone specificallytuned to detect strong pressure waves of sufficient duration could beemployed. Likewise, other EMF sensor can be employed and attached to thephone set at the point of strongest EMF signal during ring tone. Ofcourse, a standard microphone can also be used, if necessary, forexample for piezio electric speakers but such a solution will not becapable of distinguishing ambient noise.

In order to insure that the system functions property, it shouldpreferably be calibrated to the type of ringer used in the basetelephone. The threshold sensitivity is adjusted by turning thesensitivity potentiometer 124 to indicate a “ring detect” state, byillumination of the LED 126 during a test ring of the base unit. Theoptimum point will be where the read out (LED) just comes on at 6 dBabove the threshold. If the threshold is set too low, there is a riskthat hum from the speaker will trigger an off-hook condition.

Turning now to FIG. 15, a block diagram showing one embodiment of thecommunications system 100 according to the present invention isillustrated. The magnetic sensor 230 is axially aligned with thetelephone speaker 300 or aligned with the strongest EMF. The liftingmember 108 is positioned below the handset 110. The lifting member 108and sensing arm 224 are mechanically coupled to the motor 208, asindicated by the broken line.

The magnetic sensor 230 is connected to an amp/filter 302 for signalconditioning. Typically, amp/filter 302 contains a bandpass filter withcutoffs of approximately −12 dB at 100 Hz and −3 dB at 4500 Hz plus 6dB/oct rolloff above 700 Hz to flatten coil response. The bandpassfilter will attenuate extraneous noise while still amplifying thetelephone ringer, which typically has fundamental frequencies between400 Hz and 2500 Hz. The suggest gain of the amplifier/filter isapproximately 76 dB at 4000 Hz. The filter/amp 302 is typicallyconstructed using operational amplifiers (op amps). The design of op ampfilters is well known in the art.

The output of the amp/filter 302 is fed into a tone detector 304. Thetone detector 304 typically contains an RC circuit with a time constantsufficient to assume minimizing ring tone duration and remove transientspikes from the amp/filter output that could cause false ring detection.The time constant is preferably about 150 ms. The ring tone detector 304outputs to a one-shot timer 306, typically an LM555 timer or equivalent.The output of the one-shot timer 306 is used to signal the remotecommunication unit 120 that a ring has been detected. In particular, theone-shot output is fed into a communications module 308.

It is desirable to have the system ignore ring tones of duration lessthan approximately 120 ms (including ring and quite periods). A typicalring will allow at least 120 ms between the leading edge of one burst tothe leading edge of the next succeeding burst. By configuring a systemto ignore such time spans less and approx. 120 ms, spurious pulses canbe ignored. Typically the ring burst is at least 25 ms with a similarquiet period. It is possible to reduce the minimum time to determine atrue ring to approximately 50 or 60 ms. A range of 50-120 ms is alsoacceptable. For example, a “chirp” indicating voice mail waiting couldcause a false trigger in other systems.

The communication module unit 308 deals with communications to/from theremote communication unit 120. In the example of a remote communicationunit 120 containing a wireless headset, the communication module unit308 is a radio transmitter and the signal is sent using antenna 310 andreceived at remote antenna 312. In other embodiments, the headset base308 to the remote communication unit 120 can be configured tocommunicate via other methods, such as wire, fiber optic cable,infrared, etc. and can also be combined into a single unit.

After a ring has been detected by the handset lifter 104, a callreceived signal is sent from the signal generating circuitry of thecommunication module 308. Once the remote communication unit 120receives the call received signal, a response must be sent back to thecommunication module 308. This can be done automatically (such as with acomputer controlled answering device) or by a user. With a wirelessheadset, the user will typically hear a tone in the headset 124. Otherindications given by the remote communication unit 120 could be aflashing light/LED or a vibration device such as those used on pagers ora ringer built into the remote.

Once the remote communication unit 120 has signaled the user, the userwill accept or decline to pick up the call. If the user decides to pickup, a pick up signal is sent back to the communications module 308 byremote answering circuitry in the remote unit. This is typicallyaccomplished by the user activating a switch 314 on the remotecommunications unit 120. The pickup signal is received at thecommunications module 308 to be processed by the motor control circuitswhich constitute lifter circuitry.

In the diagram of FIG. 15, the signal for controlling the motor (up/downcontrol) is a step voltage 320 leaving the communications module 308 andsent to a differentiator 322. The step voltage 320 is also sent to theone-shot timer 306 to inhibit the timer 306 from activating while thecall is in progress. The differentiator 322 detects the leading edge ofthe step voltage 320 that signals to pickup the call and sends thesignal to the motor up timer 324. The motor-up timer 324 is a resettableLM555 one-shot timer. The timeout value of the motor up timer 324approximately 4 seconds and the purpose is to switch off the motor inthe event of a sensor or mechanical failure.

The motor-up timer 324 sends its output signal to the motor controller326, causing the motor 208 to raise the lifting member 108. The motor208 will also move the sensing arm 224 towards the up sensor 226. If thesensing arm 224 activates the up sensor 226 before the motor up timer324 has timed out, the up sensor 226 will send a reset to the motor uptimer 324. The result of the motors up cycle is that the lifting member108 raises the handset 110 and the telephone's cradle switch isactivated, thereby connecting the call.

During the call, the communications module 308 maintains an audioconnection with the remote communications unit 120. This connection canbe continuous or switched on only during a call. The audio signal istapped from the audio cable 112 which plugs into the telephone handsetjack 303.

It should be noted that additional enhancements are possible with asystem according to the present invention to ensure reliability during acall. It is appreciated that, in the event of a power outage, the phonesystem usually remains operational. The present system may hang up thecall if there is a power interrupt, but will not accidentally pick up acall on power interrupt.

To address power outages (among other functions), the base unit 104includes a power module (not shown). The power module receives powereither directly from an AC power source as shown, from a power brick 336that provides DC voltage. The power module may include a battery forcontinuing system operation while power is down. The power module mayalso include voltage regulators and power conditioning circuits asrequired by the base unit circuitry.

If AC power goes down and then resumes, the system 100 needs to preventaccidental activation of circuits that may be caused by switchingtransients when transitioning from battery to AC power. To deal withtransients, the power module may include a power interrupt sensor 340that detects a power interrupt. The power interrupt sensor 340 sends outan inhibit signal to the one-shot timer 306 and a motor down timer 360(to be discussed in greater detail below). The inhibit signal preventsthe one-shot timer 306 from sending out an erroneous call receivedsignal.

When the user is ready to terminate the call, a hang up signal is sentfrom the remote communication unit 120 to the base unit 104. The hang upsignal is typically initiated by the user activating the switch 314. Thecommunications module 308 receives the hang up signal and changes thestep voltage sent to the differentiator 322. The differentiator 322detects the trailing edge of the step voltage and activates the motordown timer 360.

The motor down timer 360 sends its output signal to the motor controller326, causing the motor 208 to lower the lifting member 108. The motor208 will also move the sensing arm 224 towards the down sensor 228. Ifthe sensing arm 224 activates the down sensor 228 before the motor downtimer 360 has timed out, the down sensor 228 will send a reset to themotor down timer 326. The result of the motor's down cycle is that thelifting member 108 lowers the handset 110 and the cradle switch isdeactivated, thereby disconnecting the call.

The motor control circuits contain NOR gates 370, 372 connected betweenthe reset pin of up/down timers 324, 360 and the up/down limit sensors226, 228. The NOR gates 370, 372 take inputs from both the limit sensors226, 228 and from the output of the opposing timer 360, 324. In thisway, the timers 324, 360 are inhibited if either the associated limitsensor 226, 228 is activated or the opposing timer 360, 324 isactivated. The NOR gates 370, 372 help ensure that the motor controller326 does not receive conflicting signals from the up/down timers 324,360, i.e. the up or down action must complete before it can be reversedby disabling the opposite function until the first function is complete.

Turning now to FIG. 16, a procedural flowchart 400 demonstrates thesteps followed by a system according to the present invention inprocessing an incoming call. The procedure begins at a ready step 401waiting for a call. Ring signal detection step 402 occurs when afiltered output is received from the magnetic sensor 220. A timeout step404 is used to decide whether the ring detected is an actual ringsignal. If the timeout step 404 runs to completion (typical time 4seconds), the remote communication unit 120 is signaled at step 406.

If the remote communication unit 120 returns the pickup signal (e.g. ifoperator presses button 314). The motor up circuit starts at step 412and continues running the motor 208 up until decision block 414 exitswith a timeout or signal from up limit sensor 226. After decision block414 exits, the motor is stopped at step 416. At step 417, the audiochannel is connected. Alternatively, it is possible that the audiochannel is connected during the entire procedure 400, in which case step417 is skipped. At step 418, the call is in progress.

The user issues a remote hang up via the remote communication unit 120at step 420. The communications module 308 optionally disconnects theaudio channel at step 422. The motor down circuit starts at step 424 andcontinues running the motor 208 down until decision block 426 exits witha timeout or signal from down limit sensor 228. After decision block 426exits, the motor is stopped at step 428. The system finally exits byreturning to the ready state 400.

Turning now to FIG. 17, a finite state diagram 500 is shown illustratingbehavior of a system 100 according to the present invention. The system100 starts in a ready state 502. When a ring 504 is received, it movesto a ring timeout state 506 to determine if the ring has sufficientsustain time, t_(s). While the ring continues but time is less thant_(s) (event 508), the system remains in state 506. If the ring stops510, the system goes back to ready state 502. If the ring continues forlonger than t_(s), (event 512), the system 100 goes to signal user state520.

The signal user state 520 is a wait state, waiting for a remote answerevent 522. While waiting, ring event and power cycle events 524, 526will not cause a state change. However, a ring stop event 528 willreturn the system 100 to the ready state 502.

The system 100 transitions from the signal user state 520 to a motor upstate 530 upon receiving the remote answer event 522. The system 100stays in the motor up state 530 until an up limit/timeout event 532occurs, and then the system 100 transitions to the talk state 540. Whenthe remote communications unit 120 signals a remote hang-up event 544,the system 100 transitions to a motor down state 550. The system 100stays in the motor down state 550 until a down limit/timeout event 552occurs, and the system returns to the ready state 502.

It will, of course, be understood that various modifications andadditions can be made to the preferred embodiments discussed hereinabovewithout departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly,the scope of the present invention should not be limited by theparticular embodiments described above, but should be defined only bythe claims set forth below and equivalents thereof.

1. A base unit apparatus affixable to a telephone set, for lifting atelephone handset, the telephone set having a speaker, the base unitapparatus comprising: a sensing plate having an aperture: a magneticcoil sildeably disposed in the aperture of the sensing plate, themagnetic coil movable so it can be placed in approximate in axialalignment with the speaker to detect electromagnet flux - from a ringsignal of the speaker; a lifting arm movably attached to the base unit,the lifting arm including a lifting member extending over a top surfaceof the sensing plate, the lifting arm movable so that at least thelifting member is movable substantially upwards from the sensing plate;said sensing plate includes an adjuster capable of receiving said coilfor slideable alignment with the speaker; a drive connected to thelifting arm, an actuation of the drive initiating a movement of thelifting arm; and a control circuit coupled to the magnetic coil and themotor to automatically move the lifting arm upon the detection of thering signal.
 2. The base unit of claim 1 wherein the adjuster includesan elongated channel and wherein said coil is sildeably positioned insaid channel.
 3. A base unit apparatus for lifting a telephone handsetof a telephone set having a speaker, the base unit apparatus comprising:a sensing plate having a void; a magnetic coil movable so it can beplaced in approximate in axial alignment with the speaker to detect EMFfrom a ring signal of the speaker; a lifting arm movably attached to thebase unit, the lifting arm including a lifting member extending over atop surface of the sensing plate, the lifting arm movable so that atleast the lifting member is movable substantially upwards from thesensing plate; a drive connected to the lifting arm, an actuation of thedrive initiating a movement of the lifting arm; and a control circuitcoupled to the magnetic coil and the motor to automatically move thelifting arm upon the detection of the ring signal and, wherein thecontrol circuit further comprises a calibration circuit having aadjuster and a readout, the adjuster providing a sensitivity adjustmentof the magnetic detector so that the readout gives an indication of thering of the speaker being detected.
 4. The base unit of claim 3 whereinsaid control circuit controls upward and downward movement of thelifting arm and further includes circuitry for preventing the initiationof an instruction to reverse the direction of the movement until the armhas traveled completely to its upwardmost or downwardmost position.
 5. Abase unit apparatus for lifting a telephone handset of a telephone sethaving a speaker, the base unit apparatus comprising: a sensing platehaving a void; a magnetic coil movable so it can be placed inapproximate in axial alignment with the speaker to detect EMF from aring signal of the speaker; a lifting arm movably attached to the baseunit, the lifting arm including a lifting member extending over a topsurface of the sensing plate, the lifting arm movable so that at leastthe lifting member is movable substantially upwards from the sensingplate; a drive connected to the lifting arm, an actuation of the driveinitiating a movement of the lifting arm; and a control circuit coupledto the magnetic coil and the motor to automatically move the lifting armupon the detection of the ring signal, and wherein the lifting armcomprises a sensing arm member and a travel limit, the sensing armmember movable proximate the at least one limit sensor at the travellimit of the lifting arm.
 6. The base unit of claim 5, wherein thesensing arm member is movably adjustable relative to the lifting armthereby allowing adjustment of the travel limit.
 7. The base unit ofclaim 5 wherein said control circuit further includes circuitry forpreventing the control circuit from responding to a ring detectcondition when the lifting arm has completed movement from one positionto the other.
 8. A non-audible method of detecting a telephone ring madeby a ring-sound transducer of the telephone, the method comprising;locating a non-audio sensor proximate the transducer capable ofreceiving, fields generated by said transducer, slidably positioning anEMF sensor generally proximate the transducer along a path provided toaccommodate variations in the position of the transducer on thetelephone, sensing a variation in such produced waves emanating from thetransducer to detect a potential ring signal; timing the sensedvariation in the field to measure the time from the start of one ringpulse to the next ring pulse of the potential ring signal; andinitiating a ring detected signal greater than a predetermined value. 9.The method of claim 8 wherein said slideably position step includesproviding an elongated channel and a sensor therein so that the sensormay be slideably positioned anywhere in that channel.